Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1887-03-23
OUR PRESIDENTS WORK.

In view of the fact that an eminent
Washington physician has said that
Grover Cleveland was killing himself by
overwork, a brief resume of the labor
method of this faithful public servant will
be pertinent. In the case of Mr.. Cleve-
land, the sovereign is the people and the
ruler the slave. Constant and laborious
attrition fill the measure of the time of
our Democratic President. Ninety per
cent. of the people who visit the White
House in search of official favors, know
that their mission is doubtful one; that
there is no foundation for their demands.
And yet these people have all to be
met and their claims investigated. These
investigations are patiently and con-
scientiously made by Mr.. Cleveland, for
it is one of the chief aims of his Ad-
ministration to employ merit in the
public service. The ordinary man of
business would not tolerate for an instant
the drudgery which the President thus
meets daily. Even in the pursuit
of personal gain very few men devote so
many hours to labor and so few to rest
and recreation as President Cleveland
He takes nothing for granted. Every
thing is submitted personally to the
minutest examination and the most
laborious scrutiny. No clerk or Cabinet
officer decides for Mr.. Cleveland. The
President breakfasts privately at a. m.
The meal is hearty, but plain. After its
discussion, Mr.. Cleveland proceeds
to his desk, where his secretary
has laid his private mail.
This mail and the morning
papers occupy the Chief Executive until
10 o'clock, when the official day begins.
Mr.. Cleveland rarely uses the services of
a stenographer. Not only does he write
all of his private correspondence, but also
many official letters. His patient method
is here illustrated by the fact that he not
only addresses all of his own letters, but
also stamps them himself. His inaugural
address, all of his messages, the one hun
dred and ten vetoes he has sent to Con-
gress, and every published paper
from his pen, have been written
by his own hand, many of them after
midnight. Mr.. Cleveland has an appe-
tite for work, and only his laborious,
and patient method could bring results
satisfactory to himself. At 10 O'Clock in
the morning official callers are admitted.
Matters of Importance are quickly recog-
nized, and business is transacted
promptly and efficiently. After the
graver matters of the morning are ar
ranged, the President sees the lesser
crowd, which is always large. !
The people who come to see him |
are seated around the library in the order
OF their arrival, and the President either |
invites them to take seat beside him,
or goes to them, standing as he talks.
Some, whose business calls for more care
ful consideration, he asks to remain and
see him privately, and if his quick eye
notes one who is evidently pressed for
time, the person so noted is accorded an
audience. Thus his time is
spent until half after l O'Clock, except
'n Cabinet days, when the interviews
close at noon. Three times a week Mr..
Cleveland holds public reception in the
yreat East room, where come those who
ire curious to see a President, or any
Who may wish to pay their respects. At
hese receptions pleasant greeting ,
meets every one, unless indeed some irn-
public sintor attempts to
roach politics or Office, in which case s
brusque and curt dismissal follows. ,
It half after one the President goes to 7
after which he Immediately Z
eturns to his desk, attending personally t
official matters, and conferring with t
is cabinet on current business. At half r
asst four or five O'Clock the President Z
pes out to drive with Mrs. Cleveland, or e
Olonel Lamont, and is usually absent a
1 hour and half or two hours. Re- b
rning from his drive he dimes, reads v
e evening papers, and then the Il